NCAA mid-major Top 25 rankings: Colorado State rolling, Belmont finding rhythm--Heat Check CBB
21. Drake Bulldogs (6-3)
Unlike SLU, Drake had its troubles in November but are enjoying a peaceful start to December so far — at least in the win column. Unfortunately, point guard Roman Penn went down with a fracture in his left foot and will be out indefinitely. The team has picked up shrug-worthy wins over St. Thomas and Omaha in his absence, but the Bulldogs can’t stay in the Summit League forever. They head to Atlanta to face Clemson in the Holiday Hoopsgiving event on Saturday, but the Tigers have lost four of five coming into the weekend. That game will be a true test of just how much the team can withstand the loss of Penn. But so far, so good for Darian DeVries’ team. -AD
4. Loyola Chicago Ramblers (8-2)
Loyola Chicago has now rattled of four straight wins since dropping back-to-back at the Battle 4 Atlantis event. The Ramblers are now 8-1 overall and away-from-home wins over Arizona State and DePaul help. Young head coach Drew Valentine is quickly proving why he is a budding star on the sidelines. Even without former offensive hub Cameron Krutwig, this team is scoring at an impressive rate. Loyola Chicago ranks fourth nationally in effective field-goal percentage, and the Ramblers have experience, shooting and tremendous balance. Ryan Schwieger, Lucas Williamson, Aher Uguak, Tate Hall, Braden Norris are all shooting 37.5 percent or better from three on at least 18 attempts. -LH
Bulldogs Head to Atlanta for Holiday Hoopsgiving--godrakebulldogs.com
Redbirds Battle SIUE On the Road Saturday--goredbirds.com
TODD AARON GOLDEN: MVC needs to get back and have a reality check--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Sycamores, Huskers to square off in Saturday matinee--gosycamores.com
The DPI Gradebook: Arizona, LSU among top teams in first DPI college basketball rankings--Heat Check CBB
We love a good middie
Lest we only talk about high-majors (and one genre-transcending private school in the PNW), let’s dive into a few of the more notable mid-majors in the first rankings.
Teams like No. 15 Loyola Chicago and No. 23 Colorado State were expected to be good this year, but both have come out the gates swinging. The Ramblers did lose to Michigan State and Auburn, but they’ve been crushing just about everyone else. (Side note: It’s strange to think that a win over DePaul would mean more than a victory over Arizona State, but here we are.)
Loyola Cruises Past Roosevelt, Completes Chicago City Sweep--Loyola Phoenix
Time Change Announced For Loyola Women’s Basketball’s Matchup At Missouri State--loyolaramblers.com
Loyola Opens Road Trip At Central Michigan Saturday--loyolaramblers.com
Basketball Bears Host Oral Roberts Saturday--missouristatebears.com
Is Missouri still the Lady Bears' state? We'll know after Missouri State hosts Mizzou on Friday--Springfield News-Leader
Men's basketball prepares for home matchup with Jackson State--unipanthers.com
Men's Basketball takes on Tulsa on Saturday--siusalukis.com
Basketball wins big over Trinity Christian--Valpo Torch
Women's Basketball Faces Quick Turnaround at South Dakota--valpoathletics.com
State Farm MVC Scholar-Athlete Spotlight (Dec. 9)--The Missouri Valley
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